Urgent Freeze Warning Tonight: Protect Your Pipes, Plants, and Morning Commute Now

A sudden blast of Arctic air is sweeping across the eastern half of the United States, and the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued Freeze Warnings and Frost Advisories from the High Country of North Carolina all the way to the upper Midwest. Temperatures are expected to plunge below 32 °F overnight, with pockets dipping to 25 °F in the coldest valleys—cold enough to end the growing season and damage outdoor plumbing. The cold front arrives late Thursday and lingers into Friday morning. In Boone, NC and surrounding mountain communities, lows could bottom out at 26 °F; similar numbers are forecast for parts of Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana. The NWS warns that “sub-freezing temperatures for several hours can kill most sensitive vegetation and could burst exposed water lines.” What a Freeze Warning means • A Freeze Warning is issued when temps are forecast to fall below 32 °F long enough to harm crops and ornamental plants, while readings under 28 °F can kill most vegetation outright. • A Frost Advisory is less severe; it’s posted when lows hover between 33 °F and 36 °F under clear, calm skies but widespread ice crystals are still likely. Who is in the warning zone tonight • Western North Carolina, including Boone, Blowing Rock, and Banner Elk. • Central and eastern Iowa, especially Cedar Rapids and the upper Mississippi Valley. • Central Illinois and western Indiana, from Springfield to Fort Wayne. • Pockets of Kentucky and southern Ohio where clear skies are expected after midnight. Timing • Warning starts: 1 a.m.–3 a.m. local time Friday. • Ends: 8 a.m.–9 a.m., when sunshine pushes readings back into the 40s and 50s. Another freeze is possible Saturday morning if winds calm and clouds clear. How to protect homes, gardens, and pets 1. Cover tender plants with breathable fabric or move potted flowers indoors before dusk. 2. Drain outdoor hoses and wrap exposed faucets; water expands as it freezes and can rupture pipes. 3. Bring pets and small livestock under shelter; water bowls can ice over in minutes. 4. Check antifreeze levels in vehicles; sudden cold snaps can stress batteries and cooling systems. 5. Turn off automatic sprinklers and blow out irrigation lines to avoid costly repairs come spring. Travel impacts Roadways should remain dry as precipitation is minimal, but bridges and elevated ramps in river valleys could develop thin, invisible ice (“black ice”) near daybreak. Drivers heading out before sunrise should reduce speed and leave extra space. Looking ahead Daytime highs rebound into the 60s by Friday afternoon in most locations, but another reinforcing shot of cold air is forecast early next week. Gardeners hoping to salvage late-season vegetables should harvest now or invest in frost blankets. Meteorologists stress that this is likely the season-ending freeze for many communities east of the Mississippi. Stay updated Monitor your local NWS office, tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, and enable emergency alerts on smartphones for real-time updates on additional freeze warnings or frost advisories overnight.